We were just talking about Southwest Airlines and their plans to “evolve” their planes with new seats, and now it looks like the carrier is already prepared to go all-in. Southwest is starting to get those fresh birds, and they’re shifting around the schedule here and there to make room for the increased seats and different configurations.
They’re pretty excited about that this evolve-o-lution, but we kind of wonder how our knees will feel about all these changes. ]]>
Last week we told you about the slurry of airlines using this year to refresh their aircraft cabins and service. Not a few days later, American Airlines dropped some major news as well, and they supplemented it with Instagram shots of the goods.
AA will take delivery of their first Boeing 777-300ER late this year and, from photos posted on Instagram last week, the big birds will look pretty flash on the inside. Since the airline is the first US carrier to take delivery of the shiny, new aircraft type, the introduction will surely be huge. ]]>
They’re moving full speed ahead with their acquisition of AirTran, but Southwest Airlines still has plenty of time to dedicate to other changes and improvements. Their latest announcement has everything to do with seats, as they’re planning to tear out some interiors in favor of new and shiny upgrades.
The bottom line is they’re adding more seats which weigh less, boosting revenue by packing passengers and spending less airplane gas to get them to their final destination. However, Southwest says that the new seats are an upgrade for passengers as well, even though there’s technically going to be a little less room for your legs, knees, and feet.
The pitch on the new seats is dropping by an inch or so and there’s also less recline. The new seats will lean back about one inch less than they do now, but Southwest insists that you won’t even notice because of the new seat layout—we’ll have to see this for ourselves. ]]>
Brussels Airlines recently announced some major network upgrades and in-flight products and took to social media to brag about their new toys to all their followers. With dramatic unveilings on Twitter and instagram and the final product look on Facebook, the carrier created quite a buzz for their newest seats.
In the front of the plane, the Belgian carrier is launching lie-flat sky beds for intercontinental service with all of the bells and whistles we expect in business class. Super roomy seats with loads of work space is what premium passengers can expect with the addition of a pneumatic setting that allows passengers to pick a 'hard' or 'soft' seat.
Don't worry, there is some fun for economy too! By reducing the profile of their seats, Brussels boasts just about 33 inches of leg room and further recline.]]>
Next week, the massive Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 will finally begin regularly scheduled flights from New York-JFK. It only makes sense, then, to have Singapore upgrade some smaller things to go along with this literally superjumbo change. Namely, they are also introducing a new amenity kit in First Class and the Suites, on SQ flights from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.
The products—five travel-sized formulas to work against dry airplane skin—are from NYC's Kiehl's Since 1851. And no, this isn't the entire First Class amenity kit; it's just the skin care portion, as there's plenty other goodies on your seat if you're traveling in the fancy classes.
Curious what other brands airlines will have you slather on your face mid-flight? United has Murad, Delta has Korres, LAN goes with Bulgari, British Airways gives D.R. Harris & Co. in First, Cathay has Dermalogica and American has recently switched theirs from Burt's Bees to Dermalogica as well.]]>
At this point you probably know that one of the best parts of flying Virgin America are their in-flight entertainment options. The airline’s Red in-flight entertainment has like 700 hours of content including with thousands of songs, over 30 movies, and flight tracking thanks to Google Maps. If you thought it couldn’t get any better you are incorrect, as they’re upgrading things this fall to make flying with them even more fun.
The live TV lineup is changing, and new updates include FOX and NBC affiliates—both based out of NYC—and that means access to some sports. Hockey fans can check out national televised games on NBC, and there will be plenty of baseball action this October available live on FOX—as well as in TBS, because they’ve got that channel too. These new networks will also allow you to catch some football fun on Sunday afternoons, and we can already see ourselves watching a little NFL after ordering a few snacks and a few beers right from the comfort of our seat. ]]>
American Airlines giveth and American Airlines taketh away. In case you missed it (and they probably hoped you did, AA announced on Friday that they'd begin charging "premium seat" fees. This means $4 and up on top of your airfare if you'd like to grab a window or aisle seat towards the front of the economy cabin. No, the seats themselves aren't nicer or the service better; they're just...closer to the front.
To counter this, today American came out with their "Fly Better. Feel Better." advances for First Class flyers. They will now be the first US airline to offer turndown service on flights, complete with a quilted bed topper for lie-flat seats, a light duvet, large pillow, revamped amenity kit, AA logo-embroidered slippers and a pajama set. There's even a new "day blanket" for cuddling up with your book or iPad, but not so cuddled up you'd drift to sleep. ]]>